| Author: | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: February, 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Posts: 11,275 | | Review Date: August 29, 2023 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tiny. Sharp. Fast. Capable | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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On the Q7/Q-S1 this lens give a field of view equivalent to a lens of just under 40mm on full frame. It's hard to imagine a better kit lens for this system.
 | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,875 | | Review Date: May 12, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Close focusing | | Cons: | None that I could find | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Q7
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I was surprised at how fast and sharp this tiny lens is! Also, it focuses quite close. I almost always have this lens on my Q7.
This lens and my Q7 are just perfect for shooting quick snapshots, and images that I intend to post on the Internet (see product photos below).
For my more serious shots, I pull out one of my K1s and my Zeiss manual focus glass.
   | | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 118 | | Review Date: September 30, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, IQ, filter size | | Cons: | poor manual focus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Q-7, Q-S1
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Small and light, probably the best overall IQ of any native Q lens. Manual focusing is touchy. Uses the common 40.5 (Leica) filter and lens hood thread. Coupled with the small size and weight of a Q series body and a wrist strap, this combo almost "disappears" when on a walk about, yet is always at your fingertips. Now that they have come down in price, it is a great value.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Posts: 3,348 | | Review Date: December 19, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, very sharp, robust | | Cons: | 40.5mm filter ring size | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 3
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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This lens is a perfect example of what Pentax is all about. Small, sharp, and robust. With a properly sized hood the Q with the 01 lens becomes pocketable if you are wearing a coat. I use a Tamrac lens pouch with belt loops. According to Photozone this lens is sharpest at f/2.2 and I would agree with this based on my experiences. There is definitely some softness at f/1.9 and its especially noticeable in high contrast shots. Flare and ghosting is rare, even under extreme conditions. I find that I lose contrast before I see noticeable flare or ghosting. The lens produces a lot of barrel distortion but that can be corrected in post processing when shooting in RAW or by the camera when shooting JPG. For something like landscape shots and the like you won't notice it. How did we deal with it in the film days? Well, we didn't. Bokeh is easier to achieve here than with the 02 zoom lens but it's still pretty weak. Blame the small sensor. That's just physics working against you. Consider this lens to have infinite depth of field. It's also a very fast lens at f/1.9 which enables low light shots at lower ISOs than you think you need. The lens is very well put together and I have no qualms traveling with it.
My two biggest beefs with this lens is the odd filter ring size at 40.5mm and the availability of the lens. I understand the lens is small so the small filter ring size is almost a given. Still, when you're used to 49mm or 52mm and the availability of hoods, caps, and filters that go with that territory then 40.5mm hurts. Getting this lens was tough. There was a time when it was a kit lens option but then that option disappeared and was replaced with zoom lenses. You couldn't even buy the lens separately. Sometimes there would an online shop selling it separately but it was really expensive. I ended up getting a good deal on a second used Q kit with the 01 lens. From this kit and the one I already owned I put together my own kit and sold off the extra pieces. It was a small hassle but I was rewarded by making $27 off of the deal. I wish this lens was more widely available.
I hope this lens becomes more available as time passes and that the price drops too.
Here's a sample at f/2.2 showing how sharp this lens can be even with the original Q.
IMGP6827 by Never Off, on Flickr
Here's another sample showing how useful f/1.9 can be in low light situations.
IMGP6636 by Never Off, on Flickr
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2013 Posts: 62 | | Review Date: August 26, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | small, fast, sharp from f/2 | | Cons: | not known. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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it is very good lens for Q cameras. it is all-time on the camera ( also I have a 02 zoom 5-15mm)
very fast AF, just as SLR do, or even faster 
very sharp even from f/1.9 but maximum sharpness at f/3.2
usually i'm using any f/stops without doubts.
manual focus ring are best.
has a big distortion, but in-camera JPG correct it automatically, or in RAW converter just add a some correction. it is not a real CONS, just need to know it.
may be real cons it a quiet long close-up focusing distance, but 12MP image possible to crop, so...
I want Q-20mm f/2, or even f/1.4.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2014 Location: Nissedal (Goblin Valley) Posts: 38 | | Review Date: August 22, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Very light and small, usefull focal length on Q7 | | Cons: | Not very sharp compared to Kern Paillard 5,5mm and 12,5mm | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
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As some her know, I love the Swiss made Kern Paillard D-mount lenses, and have adapted about 12 of them by now for use on the Q7. Compared to the 5,5mm Switar, the Switar is just as good or better, even given the shorter focal length and vignetting, from the same distance. The fix focus Kern Paillard Yvar 12,5mm blows it away. Sharpest lens I have ever used. Period. So because I know how good fixed focal lenses can be constructed (even 50 years ago) for this tiny sensor, I can not in good conscience give the 01 Standard Prime top score. It could be so much better. Do not buy Kern Paillard lenses marked RX (reflex), because they have different sensor-lensmount distance (3-4mm more).
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2012 Posts: 123 | | Review Date: March 9, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $117.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Small, fast, sharp. | | Cons: | So far nothing. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 8
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Small, light and well made. Smooth focus ring. Sharp images and a nice fast aperture. Built in ND filter is useful.
Overall an enjoyable standard prime, and it looks good on my Q. In my opinion the best lens for the Q so far. | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2011 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posts: 482 | | Review Date: March 30, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, build, sharpness | | Cons: | Manual focus feel | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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This review is for a brand new 01 Standard Prime that came with the Q body.
PROS- Build quality
- Sharpness
- Size
- Shows what the Q is capable of
CONS- Manual focus feel (goes for all focus-by-wire that I've tried)
This is what I am talking about! I started out with the 02 standard zoom, but since the Q was so cute and cheap, I bought one for my GF, then going for the 01 prime obviously. I am very glad that I did
Having used only the 02 zoom, it never impressed me that much, mostly because lack of sharpness. The 01 prime certainly delivers in that area. Also, the size is just perfect for the Q. It even has the odd "F1.9" maximum aperture as the FA43 Limited. Speaking of Limiteds, I wouldn't hesitate to speak of the 01 prime in the same context. It is small, sharp and just a joy to use. With some close up fun it is also able to create some not to shabby bokeh with the Q.
I would recommend all Q-users to get the 01 standard prime. My biggest concern with it is the focal length, I would have preferred a slightly wider lens for general purpose, say a 28 or 35 equiv. But Pentax has that on the roadmap, so I just have to wait and pray that it is as good as the 01 prime.
Price indicated is half of the kit price with the Q.
My pictures on flickr with this lens | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 1,418 | | Review Date: March 3, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | generally sharp, pretty good bokeh | | Cons: | not available in black ( that i know of ) , sometimes some slight purple in high contrast | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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this is really an amazing little lens, capable of some excellent images , probably the best Q lens, excellent focal length for most subjects, can get some excellent bokeh at wider settings, i love this little lens
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Posts: 636 | | Review Date: January 18, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | small, light, sharp | | Cons: | 40.5 filter is hard to find. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 8
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nice small lens, as expected
Even with focus by wire, the focus ring is not bad and feels very good.
The cons is you can turn the ring without a limiter.
Sharpness is very good, focus fast as fast as other DC but not other M4/3 system.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Posts: 12,285
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 23, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, small, well built, light, fast focus, well dampened | | Cons: | limited bokeh, a bit tight for the 1 standard prime | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This is the best of the bunch for the Q lens lineup at present. Small, sharp, well constructed, light weight, and overall a nice little lens. The construction is good considering its metal and plastic. It weighs just 36g but feels solid when handled. The focus ring is fly-by-wire instead of directly manipulating the mechanics of the lens but is still well dampened and feels smooth throughout the range. Focus speed is very fast in good and adequate light. There is some barrel distortion but no vignetting with the lens. The lens is a real gem at f4 and below with diffraction rearing its ugly head around f5.6. Bokeh is acceptable at f1.9 but because of the extreme depth of field with the small sensor there is limited bokeh after ~f2.8, if any at all. Overall, this is a solid lens that suits the diminutive Q extremely well. Glad I went with the prime kit and got this lens because at this point it is the only Q lens not sold separately.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 464 | | Review Date: October 31, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | size, weight. | | Cons: | Color, bokeh, | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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All right. Got this one with the Q. As a 35mm equivalent 50mm lens, it really.....shows nothing of the 50mm, aka bokeh.........
However it is really fun thought. with a external VF, it is pretty good to carry around.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: April, 2011 Location: near Berlin Posts: 9 | | Review Date: July 5, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, close focus distance, weight and size, bokeh wide open (generated at close distances), no vignetting, no CA | | Cons: | distortion, hard to create a nice bokeh (sensor-size issue) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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I use this lens most on the Q because it's some kind of a no-brainer. The focal length is around 35mm for digital Pentax lenses, so this is very suitable for the most situations. Contrast and sharpness is quite nice until f/4 - further stopping down results in diffraction because of the sensor size. This is also an issue for creating bokeh. Only in close-up situations you can create some bokeh... but it doesn't look as fine as created with APS-C-Cams - although it's not bad at all. If you turn off the diffraction correction of the Q, you will recognize a high amount of distortion, which is a bit annoing but also gives that lens some kind of soul.
If you buy a Q, then buy the kit with this lens, the zoom isn't that recommendable!
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